a ritual only possible in a form of government that is of and by and for the people. 18 a possible because there are patriots like each and everyone of you who defend defend our freedom every day. this little party is just another way to say something we can never say enough. thank you. thank you for volunteering. thank you for stepping up. thank you for keeping us strong. thank you for always making us proud. i have no greater honor than being your commander-in-chief. it is because of you that with honors, we were able to end the war in iraq. because of you we deliver justice to osama bin laden. because of you that it is even possible to give afghans a chance to determine their own destiny. we are going forward. we will keep our military as the defining fighting force that the world has ever known. tonight, we are also joined by some of our service members in afghanistan. they cannot see us, but we can see them on this monitor. who we got there? general, are you there? >> sir, good evening mr. president. congratulations on your inauguration. commanding general, third